Xzavier Henderson eager to prove doubters of Florida's WR room wrong
Now entering his third year at the University of Florida, wide receiver Xzavier Henderson is primed for a starting role this fall.
After making three starts in 13 appearances last season, Henderson has been running with the first-team offense all spring. He has also enjoyed working with head coach Billy Napier and his staff.
“My experience has been good,” Henderson told Gators Online and others. “They really made an impact, big impact, with all the changes going around, as far as just the energy. The food, parking. Some of the big things.”
One change Henderson has appreciated is the pace of practice under the new coaches. The players get constant reps as they rotate through different stations with an up-tempo, game-like approach.
“I definitely feel like that,” Henderson said. “People got a little way more energy. It’s like they miss it. We’ve got a lot of guys coming back from injuries and just a clean slate, so that’s what it feels like. Everybody’s attacking each day, one day at a time.”
Florida wide receivers coach Keary Colbert had seven years of experience as a player in the NFL before he became a coach, starting as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Southern Cal, and eventually returning as a full-time assistant.
He’s sent multiple receivers to the NFL. Most recently, Colbert coached USC receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was taken in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Drake London, another Trojans wideout, has drawn a lot of attention ahead of this year’s draft.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
DJ Lagway
Florida QB to return vs. LSU
- 2
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 3
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 4New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 5
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
“It’s been real cool,” Henderson said of his relationship with Colbert. “He’s real relatable, because he’s a younger coach and he’s done it before. He’s been in our shoes before, and he actually pulls up his film sometimes and relates it to our offense.”
The Gators lost five of their top seven pass catchers from last season, including leading receiver Jacob Copeland and starting tight end Kemore Gamble. However, Henderson is confident in Florida’s receiving corps this year.
“I feel we’ve got a lot of talent, speed, size,” Henderson said. “Guys like Justin Shorter, he’s got speed, big size. We’ve got Marcus Burke who’s going to take it over the top. We’ve got technicians, Trent Whittemore. We’ve got a lot of good guys in our receiver room. I feel a lot of people are sleeping on us.”
The 6-foot-3, 193-pound Henderson ranked fourth on the team in receptions last season, catching 26 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson said he doesn’t exactly have any specific goals for himself and that his actions on the field will speak for themselves, but his goal for the team remains the same.
“I want to help this team be a national championship team,” Henderson said. “I want to put a number on that board, and, not for me, for everybody else who came through this building. Whatever it takes to make that happen.”
